Survival and Emergency Preparedness

I started a specific thread on one-handed ferro rod techniques.

http://sepboard.us/viewtopic.php?f=9&p=5925#p5925

I was widowed over 30 years ago. The son grew up and lives 3000 miles away. Since then, I have had to take of myself when injured, after surgeries.

Right now, we are having an epidemic. I might have to isolate for 10 days to 14 days.
1. my bills are on autopay. For those that are not on autopay, they are paid in advance. I have small currency if I need to order anything.
2. there is a phone near the bed so I can communicate.
3.I have a case of my favorite canned stew in the spare bedroom and another plastic case with all the epidemic accessories I would need.
4. the kitchen/clothes/bedding are kept clean.

Surgeries - 5.

Every time I go through one of these episodes, I think about what I need to do before the next time.

The pandemic has shown the importance of have a network of some reliable friends. We supported each other during different ones quarantines by making sure they had grocery, meds, etc. that their household needed. It wasn't planned this way, it just worked out and that is what you do for friends.

It showed us that the lone wolf mentality can be a difficult approach, a few friends can make a challenge much easier.

Bmyers wrote: ↑Sun Jan 24, 2021 8:07 am It showed us that the lone wolf mentality can be a difficult approach, a few friends can make a challenge much easier.

Big +1 on that!

Humans are social creatures. We only thrive in groups. Families, Tribes, Communities, Networks. It is what we do.

Unless you are an Engineer, Doctor, Scientist, Contruction Worker, Chemist, Electrician, Biologist, Botanist, Hunter, Farmer Welder, you will likely be screwed on your own eventually.

The lone wolf mentality as a prepper/survivalist is very narrow minded and not a long term solution for much of anything. Yet tons of preppers go isolationist. Not saying you can't, but saying it's a bad long term thing and I'll pass.

Simply from a defense standpoint, going lone wolf isn't the best option. You have to sleep. You have times when you are more vulnerable than others. Without someone to watch your back it's going to extremely difficult at best.

I remember watching a documentary on the 'Mountain Men' that lived in harsh conditions hunting and trapping. They really didn't have a long life span. Yes, the elements were harsh and the dangers real but what really got them was they simply wore themselves out. Since they were 'lone wolf' they had to do EVERYTHING themselves or it didn't get done.

I tell people to read the book about the Bielski brothers. They ended up with 1000 civilians surviving in the woods. It explains what works and that your survival is enhanced in a group. You will toss your preconceptions like every person will have to be armed and a crack shot. Eventually, no matter good you are, solely or in a group, when your opponent finally focuses on you, understands your tactics and responses and has overwhelming force, you will lose.

Sometimes, people think that I am negative. I am not. My background includes things like living my wife 40 years ago in places like Afghanistan and with the Akha people in south-east Asia. When you don't have the experience, read what other people actually did to survive.

P.S. Remember the Stallone movie where he is training in the jungles , running steps to get in shape and then going to Afghanistan. I am watching the movie and my kid pipes up "Rambo is stupid. There is an elevator." Yep, we had been in the jungle of south-east Asia. And, there is one heck of difference between an actor exiting an air conditioned movie trailer and running up steps. All I could do was rest as I walked up the same steps. So skip the theory, and read.

Well, I’ve lived this thread unfortunately with my wrist injury. Tomorrow I go see the Hand specialist for my 6 month follow-up. From what the therapist has told me, I’m at about 85%. Strength in that hand is still less but getting better. I can do normal tasks and even open jars for the wife. That’s good for the ego, lol.

Still stiff and can’t yet make a right fist but thankful I have most of the use of the hand. Still wear a small splint at times on my index finger to straighten it out.

You know - because of my arthritis (since I was 20) I guess I have been kind of living this always.
- Learned Martial arts with severely damaged ankles
- Played guitar with damaged knuckles/fingers

Just figured out a way...

David wrote: ↑Mon Jan 04, 2021 12:59 pm

Ronin.45 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 04, 2021 11:48 am The only way I'm starting a fire one handed is with a lighter.

You're not kidding!

I know there is a ferro rod that you can use one-handed by pushing it but got curious as to if you didn't have a lighter or that specialized ferro rod and instead just had a regular ferro rod. Hit an interesting video with a proper challenge.

His wrist is too low for a proper sling. Point to note. If it were a shoulder injury it would prob work though. Pull an arm inside of a T shirt sleeve to where just the wrist sticks out and that’s pretty good deal. Worked for the college girl that got a navicular Fx on Mt Rogers in VA. Don’t go hiking with me- I always find patients….

This is why I keep a few small fire starters on me. Factory made, burn hot and long. Or for complete shit weather. Doing anything quickly and emergently while hurt or exhausted can make it harder or more dangerous. When you have all day to make it happen that’s different.